Mechanical Engineer salary in Joplin, MO-KS
Mechanical Engineers in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $83,430 a year ($40.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,450 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 16% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $99,330. There are 1.2 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $95,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Joplin, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,570 | $29.12 |
| 25th percentile | $73,040 | $35.11 |
| Median | $83,430 | $40.11 |
| 75th percentile | $101,860 | $48.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,450 | $61.76 |
| Average (mean) | $95,100 | $45.72 |
Half of mechanical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,952.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,476.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,208.85 |
| Weekly | $1,604.42 |
| Hourly | $40.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $100,340 | 2,190 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $99,630 | 4,330 |
| Topeka, KS | $98,620 | 160 |
| Lawrence, KS | $94,990 | 60 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $94,940 | 40 |
| Wichita, KS | $94,610 | 800 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $89,120 | 60 |
| Manhattan, KS | $83,200 | 90 |
| Columbia, MO | $82,200 | 80 |
| Springfield, MO | $80,020 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Joplin, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $84,560 | $40.65 |
| Civil Engineer | $79,220 | $38.09 |
| Electrical Engineer | $102,630 | $49.34 |
| Engineers, All Other | $73,540 | $35.36 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,330 | $29.01 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,240 | $28.96 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $58,690 | $28.22 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,690 | $28.22 |
| Electrical and Electronics Drafters | $70,010 | $33.66 |
| Surveyor | $65,340 | $31.42 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Joplin, MO-KS
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Joplin, MO-KS?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area is $83,430 a year, or $40.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,450 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Joplin, MO-KS?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area earn at least $128,450 a year. The top 25% earn $101,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Joplin, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,570 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $73,040 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Joplin, MO-KS?
About 110 mechanical engineers are employed in the Joplin, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.